When the virus executes, it attempts to infect any file accessed with the following extensions:

.exe

.scr

The threat does not infect files starting with the following strings:

OTSP

WC32

WCUN

WINC

The virus also attempts to infect files with the following extensions by injecting an iframe in to the body of each file:

.htm

.html

.php

.asp

The above iframe redirects the browser on the computer to the following location:
[http://]ZieF.pl/r[REMOVED]

It creates the following event so that only one instance of the threat is running on the compromised computer:
Vx_5

The virus then modifies the hosts file by prepending the following strings to its body:
127.0.0.1 ZieF.pl
#

It then opens a back door by joining a channel controlled by a remote attacker on one of the following IRC servers:

irc.zief.pl on TCP port 80

proxim.ircgalaxy.pl on TCP port 80

The remote attacker may use the following nick name:
[EIGHT RANDOM CHARACTERS]

It may use the following registry entry in binary format in order to decode an unknown server name and port number:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\"UpdateHost" = "[BINARY VALUE]"

The threat disables Windows File Protection in order to infect files on the computer.

It also modifies the following registry subkey in order to add a firewall exception:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List

The virus also attempts to download files on the compromised computer.

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

Use a firewall to block all incoming connections from the Internet to services that should not be publicly available. By default, you should deny all incoming connections and only allow services you explicitly want to offer to the outside world.

Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.

Ensure that programs and users of the computer use the lowest level of privileges necessary to complete a task. When prompted for a root or UAC password, ensure that the program asking for administration-level access is a legitimate application.

Disable AutoPlay to prevent the automatic launching of executable files on network and removable drives, and disconnect the drives when not required. If write access is not required, enable read-only mode if the option is available.

Turn off file sharing if not needed. If file sharing is required, use ACLs and password protection to limit access. Disable anonymous access to shared folders. Grant access only to user accounts with strong passwords to folders that must be shared.

Turn off and remove unnecessary services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, threats have less avenues of attack.

If a threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.

Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services.

Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread threats, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.

Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.

If Bluetooth is not required for mobile devices, it should be turned off. If you require its use, ensure that the device's visibility is set to "Hidden" so that it cannot be scanned by other Bluetooth devices. If device pairing must be used, ensure that all devices are set to "Unauthorized", requiring authorization for each connection request. Do not accept applications that are unsigned or sent from unknown sources.